The 7th Annual Naturescapes Photography Contest and Exhibition is underway.

The contest started accepting entries on May 1st and the entry deadline is July 11th.

The Awards reception will be held at the San Marcos Activity Center on September 10 and the Exhibition will run through November 4th.

This year the Hays County Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist is joining the Hill Country Photography Club as cosponsor of the contest. The contest and exhibition provide an excellent vehicle for the Hays County Master Naturalist organization to advance a key part of it’s mission: to educate and increase public awareness of the importance of preserving and maintaining our natural areas.

We’ve added two new awards this year. The first one, sponsored by the HCPC, is for the Best photo entered in the Youth Category. Photographers 18 years or younger at the entry deadline are eligible. The second one, sponsored by the HCMN, is for the Best photo of a Natural Habitat.

This year’s contest juror is Amanda Smith, owner and director of the A Smith Gallery in Johnson City. I’m thrilled she agreed to judge the contest and am looking forward to working with her.